Wedding Photography is one of the most important things to consider on your wedding day.
I personally find wedding photography sits at third on the priority list after reception venue & church (ceremony venue). Having said that, it also sits in the "You get what you pay for� category too. This doesn't mean you have to spend an exorbitant amount of money if you don't want to either. The best thing to do is find a few photographers, view their websites to see if you like their style, and arrange a meeting to see their work in person.
Wedding Photographers generally tend to take charge, and direct proceedings, to get the shots required, so you have to feel comfortable with the person taking on this role. Enjoying your day is just as important as your end result,so choose a photographer you can put your trust in and have fun. The end result can be as simple as getting all the photos of the day (proofs) in an album, or as elaborate as having a custom designed book bound album. The choice is yours, taking into consideration what you want and also budget.
Another thing to remember is that most professional photographers get booked fairly quickly especially in peak wedding season (Sept – May), so make your appointments well in advance, and you can usually secure your chosen photographer with a booking deposit.
Once you have chosen and secured your photographer, be sure to ask lots of questions, and be sure to have a pre wedding meeting, to run through times and places. Time is critical on the wedding day. There is always something going on, and it's very easy to lose track of it.
You would ideally love to have everyone ready when your photographer arrives, but if time is running out, at least your ready and the photographer can start with you. Depending on how many bridesmaids there are, how much family will be attending and distance to the ceremony, an hour to a hour and a half is what the photographer needs to get his shots. At the ceremony, make sure ushers or guests don't walk in the aisle, obstructing the photographers view.
Make sure you're as close to being on time at the ceremony as possible, because there might be a wedding after you, and you might be hurried along. Family photos are usually taken straight after the ceremony. Your photographer will advise you of the best location, taking into consideration backgrounds, lighting, shade, etc. If a lot of families are getting their photo taken with you, a good idea would be to ask an assertive family member to read out a list you have prepared, calling out the families names that are having their photo taken next. This will cut the confusion and give you more time for location photos.
If you are specific about a certain location, for e.g. a café, you might want to ask permission prior to meeting with your photographer. Some parks and sites require you to get a permit.
The day will go quick, I know through experience, so be sure to take in as much as you can, and every moment. Your memories will be relived time and time again through the photos and wedding video, so be sure to take your time and pick the perfect photographer and videographer.